I own this HC3 camcorder for almost 2 years and I never had any issue. Yesterday I found out that when trying to transfer some videos to my PC via firewire, the PC does not recognize the camcorder. Mybe this happened as a result of connecting the firewire cable first to the camcorder and then to the PC when it should've been done the other way as static can burn the camcorder's port.The cable, the PC's firewire port and Windows are all OK since I tested with other firewire devices I have (an external hard drive). I also tested with another PC and with other cables without success. So it seems the firewire port in the camcorder is dead. The camcorder is out of warranty and Sony charges a ridiculous $540 plus tax and shipping for the repair. So, I was thinking in the following options:
1) A cheap HDV MiniDV separate player deck to be used only for transferring my video to PC or for TV viewing? (no need for those expensive ones with LCD screens for viewing, etc)
2) A place other than Sony that will repair this without ripping me off?
3) A do-it-yourself repair of the firewire port?
4) The camcorder has an HDMI port. Maybe use that port to transfer the video to the PC with a HDMI cable+adapter? I assume this is not possible and transfer can only be done through the firewire port?
Thanks for any ideas.

1. There is no cheap HDV MiniDV separate player deck. Maybe another HDV like the Canon HV20 which is going for about $600.

2. I don't know.

3. I doubt that.

4. Possible, possibly. I don't know exactly how... Maybe black magic card? Maybe someone else can give better advice. I like my answer "1" better.


Rich

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